Jamaica

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Replies

  • lawandfitness
    lawandfitness Posts: 1,257 Member
    Went to The Grand Palladium in Montego Bay, and the resort amenitites were nice, but the beach was rocky, and most beaches in Mo Bay are..... I suggest going to Ocho Rios or Negril if beach is important to you. We went on a day trip to Negril and instantly regretted not staying in Negril from the get go.... Negril is a bit more pricey but totally worth the extra 200-300$ per person. I liked The Riu Tropical Bay....
  • lawandfitness
    lawandfitness Posts: 1,257 Member
    We are going in July. My husband has been 3 times and stayed at some resort in Negrile. I'll have to get the name. We are going bold and bare and staying at Hedonism. :smokin:
    Looking to go bare or go bold at night?? :wink: :laugh: :blushing:
  • sizzle74
    sizzle74 Posts: 858 Member
    We are going in July. My husband has been 3 times and stayed at some resort in Negrile. I'll have to get the name. We are going bold and bare and staying at Hedonism. :smokin:
    Looking to go bare or go bold at night?? :wink: :laugh: :blushing:

    My husband and I don't like clothes. LOL! And we really like um.......:devil:
  • If you fly into Montego Bay. The drive to Ocho Rios is probably the most intresting part of the whole vacation.

    I think my husband has talked about that. Do they stop from time to time and sell Red Stripe beer in the villages and stuff like that?


    Just went with my husband, who is Jamaican for almost 3 weeks, 1 week at a resort in Ochos Rios and almost 2 weeks with family at our house there in Kingston (i.e. my hubby's house he had before he moved to the US as its not really a tourist destination unless you go to the bob marley museum lol). The bars on the side of the road do sell all sorts of liquor and beer, and dont feel afraid to go to a local bar. You can also walk around the streets with drinks, if you feel comfortable enough. We stayed at Sunset, which was fine for what we wanted and is a little cheaper than sandals or the other more expensive resorts, but it all depends on what kind of experience you want.

    If you do drive yourself or in a charter and you see people on the side of the road selling pepper shrimp or pepper crawfish, stop and get some. They are delish! They also tend to be super spicy, so beware. Also, unless you feel like paying a ridiculous amount of money, I wouldnt get my hair braided on the beach (maybe a few braids would be ok and not too expensive). If you can, go to a local salon and get it done there. The ladies on the beach overcharge by a HUGE margin. When I was approached and was told how much, my step son (whose Jamaican) told them they were crazy and that they couldn't charge me so much. If you go local and off the beach for that, its a win-win...you spend less money, and you help out someone local. If you do venture out in the town, just ask someone from the hotel where the good areas are and, for the sake of being obvious, venture out during the daylight. I went out at night, but i had my hubby and teenage stepson, both of who are very protective of me and since they are local they know what is what.
  • lawandfitness
    lawandfitness Posts: 1,257 Member
    If you fly into Montego Bay. The drive to Ocho Rios is probably the most intresting part of the whole vacation.

    yeah, it was beautiful and shocking at the same time. I never expected to see oxen roaming free. I LOVED walking down a waterfall in that area too.

    My only advice--i learned the hard way-- stay in the tourist areas! We made the mistake of going into town to explore and we stuck out like a sore thumb and it was not a good place to be.

    See, I went downtown and loved the culture. Yes, being the only white dressed up people, we were targeted by every dude wanting to be our guide; but we stuck w/ one native and he showed us around and filled us in on what life is like there. I loved it. If I ever go back I'll definately do the downtown thing again. To each their own.

    Ive heard bad thingsabout people getting in taxis and getting robbed blind.

    We went out with a taxi driver to show us around, and he took us to Negril for the day. Some points were a little scary (but more because I was out of my element and didn't know what to expect) but he was a really nice guy and we felt safe the whole time.

    Plus, at the hotel we stayed at if passengers were leaving with a taxi driver, there was a security both at the exit and the taxi driver would have to provide details bout where he was taking us etc. and they would take down the License plate number...
  • lawandfitness
    lawandfitness Posts: 1,257 Member
    We are going in July. My husband has been 3 times and stayed at some resort in Negrile. I'll have to get the name. We are going bold and bare and staying at Hedonism. :smokin:
    Looking to go bare or go bold at night?? :wink: :laugh: :blushing:

    My husband and I don't like clothes. LOL! And we really like um.......:devil:

    Have you been there before?? Me and hubby like :devil: too LOL but never been to a resort like Hedonism
  • cazzer69
    cazzer69 Posts: 162 Member
    I say I say I say, my wife just went to the West Indies.

    Jamaica?

    No she went of her own accord.


    (I'm sorry, I'll go and sit on the stairs and think about what I just did)
  • sizzle74
    sizzle74 Posts: 858 Member
    We are going in July. My husband has been 3 times and stayed at some resort in Negrile. I'll have to get the name. We are going bold and bare and staying at Hedonism. :smokin:
    Looking to go bare or go bold at night?? :wink: :laugh: :blushing:

    My husband and I don't like clothes. LOL! And we really like um.......:devil:

    Have you been there before?? Me and hubby like :devil: too LOL but never been to a resort like Hedonism

    No. But we have been to places with a similar vibe here in our city. :)
  • WAHMto5
    WAHMto5 Posts: 375 Member
    I would also suggest Sandals for a couples only resort, they are awesome!
  • We are going in July. My husband has been 3 times and stayed at some resort in Negrile. I'll have to get the name. We are going bold and bare and staying at Hedonism. :smokin:
    Looking to go bare or go bold at night?? :wink: :laugh: :blushing:

    My husband and I don't like clothes. LOL! And we really like um.......:devil:

    Have you been there before?? Me and hubby like :devil: too LOL but never been to a resort like Hedonism

    No. But we have been to places with a similar vibe here in our city. :)

    Has this turned into a swinging topic?
  • sizzle74
    sizzle74 Posts: 858 Member
    We are going in July. My husband has been 3 times and stayed at some resort in Negrile. I'll have to get the name. We are going bold and bare and staying at Hedonism. :smokin:
    Looking to go bare or go bold at night?? :wink: :laugh: :blushing:

    My husband and I don't like clothes. LOL! And we really like um.......:devil:

    Have you been there before?? Me and hubby like :devil: too LOL but never been to a resort like Hedonism

    No. But we have been to places with a similar vibe here in our city. :)

    Has this turned into a swinging topic?

    Nobody said anything about swinging.
  • lawandfitness
    lawandfitness Posts: 1,257 Member
    We are going in July. My husband has been 3 times and stayed at some resort in Negrile. I'll have to get the name. We are going bold and bare and staying at Hedonism. :smokin:
    Looking to go bare or go bold at night?? :wink: :laugh: :blushing:

    My husband and I don't like clothes. LOL! And we really like um.......:devil:

    Have you been there before?? Me and hubby like :devil: too LOL but never been to a resort like Hedonism

    No. But we have been to places with a similar vibe here in our city. :)

    Has this turned into a swinging topic?

    Nobody said anything about swinging.

    No one is swinging... and there are other things besides swinging... just saying...
  • jmc0806
    jmc0806 Posts: 1,444 Member
    I've stayed at Breezes Runaway bay (I think its now called Jewel Runaway Bay) but it was nice. All inclusive and no kids allowed...
  • sizzle74
    sizzle74 Posts: 858 Member
    We are going in July. My husband has been 3 times and stayed at some resort in Negrile. I'll have to get the name. We are going bold and bare and staying at Hedonism. :smokin:
    Looking to go bare or go bold at night?? :wink: :laugh: :blushing:

    My husband and I don't like clothes. LOL! And we really like um.......:devil:

    Have you been there before?? Me and hubby like :devil: too LOL but never been to a resort like Hedonism

    No. But we have been to places with a similar vibe here in our city. :)

    Has this turned into a swinging topic?

    Nobody said anything about swinging.

    No one is swinging... and there are other things besides swinging... just saying...

    Yep. Just because we want to be around more free spirited people who can embrace being naked doesn't mean we are swingers.
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    We did Sandals in Ocho Rios. It's really nice.
  • rejordan
    rejordan Posts: 132 Member
    Went to Ocho Rios. Loved the beaches and nite life there. Pretty much stayed in the resort (all inclusive). When we did venture out, it was on hotel recommended tours. Went to a pottery factory, Dunns River Falls and horseback riding in the ocean. Weather was awesome for October (off season).
  • jpoblete77
    jpoblete77 Posts: 19 Member
    Stayed 10 days in Negril, 7nights at Couples All-Inclusive and 3 nights at by the cliffs at Citronella. If you're going to enjoy true Jamaican culture and food....stay by the cliffs. The food is great and healthy, cheap, and you won't binge! Now if you want to be tempted to eat everything,listen to Americanized jamaican music...like Lady Gaga on steel drums, then stay at an all-inclusive. Stay at the cliffs and pay and you can always pay per tour or other amenities such as scuba diving with lessons.

    We went June 2011 and there's no AC in the rooms at Citronella. My husband was not too happy when I told him, but we did not miss it I promise you!! The ocean breeze was enough! Anyways, even though I loved Citronella there's a better place we checked out while we were there. It was similar that it was right on the cliffs with no AC...the place is Banana Shout it's the place to be!!! It's sooo beautiful they're water is perfect for swimming, right in the middle of everything, local food, music and a few bucks from the beach. You will save money staying at the cliffs, and have a better time.
    I have lots of tips, just ask me. I love Negril so much I'd be more than happy to tell you:
    - Be assertive when telling the vendors you're not interested, they will leave you alone
    - You can bargain cab prices
    -http://www.negrilonestop.com/cliffresorts.shtml has excellent maps and information, tripadvisor is okay but I believe alot of the hotel owners post their own reviews. You can look for my reviews here: http://www.tripadvisor.com/members-reviews/Spunkypnay
    - it's safe to drink tap water in Jamaica
  • lawandfitness
    lawandfitness Posts: 1,257 Member
    :drinker:
    We are going in July. My husband has been 3 times and stayed at some resort in Negrile. I'll have to get the name. We are going bold and bare and staying at Hedonism. :smokin:
    Looking to go bare or go bold at night?? :wink: :laugh: :blushing:

    My husband and I don't like clothes. LOL! And we really like um.......:devil:

    Have you been there before?? Me and hubby like :devil: too LOL but never been to a resort like Hedonism

    No. But we have been to places with a similar vibe here in our city. :)

    Has this turned into a swinging topic?

    Nobody said anything about swinging.

    No one is swinging... and there are other things besides swinging... just saying...

    Yep. Just because we want to be around more free spirited people who can embrace being naked doesn't mean we are swingers.

    Agreed... Free Spirit + Open Minded - Swinging = Lots of fun
  • ACepero79
    ACepero79 Posts: 711 Member
    Wife and I went years ago for a wedding. Stayed in Sandals and flew into Montego Bay.

    Not sure what the rules in Sandals - Montego Bay are now but wife sunbathed topless. There's definitely a free and liberating atmosphere.
  • We went to Sandals Grande Riviera (Ocho Rios) last summer. It is a great all-inclusive resort for very active couples (atleast the beach side). We had a fabulous time and enjoyed all the activities they offered. If you're looking for luxury I would stay on the mountain side (all rooms renovated) if your looking for fun/party stay on the beach side. We were a little disappointed in the food (Neptunes was by far the best place to eat) and it was hard to find premium liquor at the bars like they say on the website. It was a great first Jamaica/All-inclusive experience for us but if we went back I'd probably check out the Couples Resorts. They are getting a lot of buzz on Trip Advisor and Travel and Leisure magazine websites.
  • cwkaty
    cwkaty Posts: 261 Member
    I think you are good to g topless at any adult only resort, as long as stay down by the beach.
  • Timshel_
    Timshel_ Posts: 22,834 Member
    Hubby and I are planning a trip to Jamaica. We want to attend an all-inclusive resort.
    Has anyone been recently? Any suggestions?

    We did Swept Away in Negril. Awesome experience.

    Hedonism is right there to...if that is your thing.
  • Couples in Ocho Rios was super fun. It has a nude island if you want that aspect and the rest of it is you wear clothes.
  • Any of the Couples resorts are fabulous. There is Couples Tower Isle (with the nude island), Couples Negril, Couples Swept Away, and Couples Sans Souci. They are also opening a resort in Barbados. I have been to Couples Tower Isle and Couples Negril. If you like white sandy beaches then go to one of the resorts on the Negril side of the island. If you want a welcome feeling, like you are part of a family, go to Couples Tower Isle (my favorite). The beaches are shorter and rockier but the atmosphere is the best.

    I don't like the Sandals chain because they are pricier and more commercialized. No, I don't work for or troll the boards for Couples Resorts. I am just a satisfied repeat guest.